Hoped the knowledgeable Gooner readership could help me with a small Champions League query. No, it isn’t the obvious “How does Eboue get in the team?”

It was a slightly more worrying matter as our subs warmed up. Now I have to say I decided ages ago that the answer to how Eboue gets in the squad had to be that he does other odd jobs around the ground, to make up for his shortcomings on the field. So when I saw our glorious Gooner warriors warming up to put the fear of God into Porto, I merely presumed that the salmon pink bibs the subs were wearing were due to Eboue mixing in lighter colours with the Arsenal red on wash day – in much the same way he mixes up the need for an overhit shot or a simple pass when he steams into the penalty box.

Psychologically, I was sure the astute Mr. Wenger had not plumped for salmon pink bibs in order to terrify the opposition. Even as a loyal Gooner, I could not force out the cry of “come on you pinks” at the desired moment.

Now - after some recent attempts by the marketing department to make me wear non Arsenal-coloured shirts - I fear that the salmon pink could be adopted for next season as warmer, more everyday wear for the fan about town!

Could someone please reassure me that this choice of bib was in fact due to Mr. Eboue’s wash-day woes and is not the first salvo into a new marketing blitz for pink Champions League strips.

(Ed’s note - Thanks to Garry Williams for delivering Laurne Drette’s missive)